Every rule, and how hard it binds

20 rules match. Clear filters

1. CLR-001 Prefer the precise familiar word IF two words are equally accurate AND one is more familiar to the audience, THEN use the familiar word ELSE keep the precision-bearing term. Context default
2. CLR-002 Define necessary jargon IF a domain term is necessary AND the intended reader may not know it, THEN define it at first use and use it consistently ELSE replace it with plain language. Context default
3. CLR-003 Expand unfamiliar abbreviations IF an abbreviation is not universally familiar to the audience, THEN spell it out at first use and pair it with the abbreviation ELSE retain. Context default
4. CLR-004 One term per concept IF multiple terms refer to the same technical concept without rhetorical need, THEN select one preferred term and replace the variants ELSE retain. Context default
5. CLR-005 One concept per term IF the same term denotes multiple concepts in one context, THEN rename or qualify the concepts ELSE retain. Hard constraint
6. CLR-006 Replace vague reference words IF THIS, THAT, IT, THEY, FORMER, or LATTER has an uncertain referent, THEN repeat or summarize the referent ELSE retain. Hard constraint
7. CLR-007 Quantify actionable vagueness IF vague quantity, frequency, time, or probability affects a decision, THEN provide a range, threshold, date, or defined category ELSE retain approximate language. Context default
8. CLR-008 Use concrete examples after abstractions IF a central abstraction lacks a concrete instance AND the audience knowledge gap is moderate or large, THEN add one representative example ELSE retain. Heuristic
9. CLR-009 State implied steps for novice readers IF success requires an unstated inference that a novice may not make, THEN state the step or prerequisite ELSE retain expert compression. Context default
10. CLR-010 Prefer positive formulation IF a negative construction can be stated positively with the same meaning and no safety loss, THEN use the positive form ELSE retain necessary prohibitions. Heuristic
11. CLR-011 Put the main point before qualifications IF qualifications delay the main clause beyond easy recovery, THEN state the core point first and attach the qualifications clearly ELSE retain legally necessary order. Heuristic
12. CLR-012 Delete redundant meaning IF two adjacent elements express the same necessary meaning AND repetition adds no emphasis, rhythm, definition, or legal precision, THEN delete the weaker duplicate ELSE retain. Heuristic
13. CLR-013 Compress throat-clearing IF an opening comments on the act of writing rather than advancing the subject, THEN delete it or replace it with the point ELSE retain necessary framing. Heuristic
14. CLR-014 Retain necessary qualifiers IF removing a qualifier changes claim truth, scope, uncertainty, population, or time, THEN retain or strengthen it ELSE it may be compressed. Hard constraint
15. CLR-015 Use readability scores diagnostically IF a readability metric flags difficulty, THEN inspect vocabulary, syntax, concepts, and assumed knowledge; do not simplify solely to hit a number ELSE retain. Heuristic
16. CLR-016 Match specificity to decision need IF the reader must choose or act, THEN include the distinctions that can change that choice and omit distinctions that cannot ELSE select detail for understanding or experience. Context default
17. CLR-017 Make dates and units unambiguous IF a date, time, quantity, currency, or unit could be interpreted differently by locale, THEN use an unambiguous format and label ELSE retain. Hard constraint
18. CLR-018 Test instructions by execution IF content instructs a real task, THEN have a representative reader or test environment execute it and record failures ELSE review semantically. Hard constraint
19. CLR-019 Prefer literal language in critical content IF content is safety-critical, translated, or for a broad cognitive-accessibility audience, THEN replace figurative idiom with literal language ELSE retain purposeful imagery. Context default
20. CLR-020 Separate fact, inference, and opinion IF a paragraph contains facts, inferences, or opinions, THEN mark each proposition’s epistemic status when confusion would affect trust or decisions ELSE retain. Hard constraint